Jeong Eun-kyeong Leaving KDCA, Emphasizes "Science-Based Quarantine" in Response to Criticism of "Political Quarantine"

From Director of Korea Centers for Disease Control to First Commissioner of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency: Completing 4 Years and 10 Months

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Jung Eun-kyung (57), the Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), who has been fighting on the front lines throughout the battle against COVID-19, is stepping down from her position as the head of quarantine after 4 years and 10 months.

Commissioner Jung will hold a farewell ceremony and retire on the afternoon of the 17th, following President Yoon Seok-yeol's appointment of Professor Baek Kyung-ran from Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, who served as a presidential transition committee member, as the new KDCA Commissioner.

Since July 2017, Commissioner Jung has served as the head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, playing the role of 'quarantine commander.' After the first domestic COVID-19 case was reported in January 2020, she continuously led 'K-Quarantine' on the front lines. In September of the same year, when the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was elevated to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, she became the inaugural commissioner and led on-site quarantine efforts for over two years and four months.

In particular, facing the COVID-19 crisis, she left a deep impression on the public through her sincere response and selfless dedication. During the early outbreak when confirmed cases surged in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, she famously cut her hair short to save time from washing it, and her frugal use of business expenses also became a topic of public interest.

Even as her term was ending with the launch of the new government, she demonstrated diligence by personally attending most quarantine-related meetings and events until the very end. On the 13th, she attended the new government's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting, and on the day the new commissioner was appointed, she was present at the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee plenary session reviewing the new government's COVID-19 budget.

However, as a symbolic figure of the Moon Jae-in administration’s COVID-19 quarantine policy, Commissioner Jung also bore criticism alongside the achievements of the Moon government’s quarantine efforts. The new government has labeled 'K-Quarantine' as 'political quarantine' and is promoting 'scientific quarantine.'

Regarding this, Commissioner Jung stated at the National Assembly on the same day, "(Over the past two years, the KDCA) believes it has conducted scientific quarantine," emphasizing, "Vaccines and treatments are developed through clinical trials and based on evidence to implement policies, while social distancing and social policies involve social consensus and political judgment."